page_title: Dalgarnock
section_title: Covenanters
hierarchical_section_title: Dalgarnock / History / Covenanters
caption_attribution_description: English: Dalgarnock burial ground, old kirk font, Dumfries &amp; Galloway, Scotland. Base made from old burial stones.
context_page_description: Dalgarnock, Dalgarno, Dalgarnoc was an ancient parish and a once considerable sized village in the Nithsdale area of Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, south of Sanquhar and north of Dumfries that enclosed the parish of Closeburn but was annexed to Closeburn in 1606 following the Reformation, separated again in 1648 and finally re-united in 1697, as part of the process that established the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. It was a burgh of regality bordering the River Nith and Cample Water and held a popular market-tryst or fair from medieval times until 1601 when the Earl of Queensberry had them transferred to Thornhill, commemorated in song by Robert Burns, shortly before its demise and now only a remote churchyard remains at a once busy site.
context_section_description: Claverhouse known as 'Bloody Clavers' summoned the adult parishioners after the 'Enterkin Raid' near Drumlanrig Castle where in 1684 a short battle took place in the Enterkin Pass' at Glenvalentine when Covenanters ambushed some of Claverhouse's soldiers with the intention of rescuing prisoners on their way to Edinburgh and some troopers were killed with some soon to be martyred Covenanters were released. 'Cruel Lag', as Sir Robert Grierson, 1st Baronet was known, is remembered as a notorious persecutor of the Covenanters who lived at Lag Tower near Dunscore and held lands in the parish of Dalgarnock at Nether and Lower Dalgarnock.
  A story is related of the marriage of the Covenanter John Porter and Agnes Milligan at Dalgarnock that was disturbed by the sudden arrival of 'Cruel Lag' resulting in the John trying to escape across the Nith that was in flood using stilts, however some floating debris knocked him into the fast flowing waters at which point Agnes dived in to try and save him. The couple, it is said, were found drowned but in each other's arms at a site still known as Porter's Hole.
  Some of the memorials are said to be the work of Robert Paterson, Sir Walter Scott's ‘Old Mortality’ himself.
  The Covenanter Andrew Ferguson of Moniaive was buried here, together with many other Fergusons, following his death from disease in a Glasgow prison having been taken prisoner at a conventicle held at Glencairn.
  The following Dalgarnock local inhabitants were declared "Outlaws and Fugitives" in May 1684 :
  The white marble ten and a half foot Northumbrian Cross, the 'Martyrs Cross', that stands in the Dalgarnock burial ground was erected in 1925 and carved by D J Beattie & Son of Carlisle as a memorial to the 57 (54 men and three women) Nithsdale Covenanters who gave their lives for their faith. A letter book relating to the erection of this cross was kept at Hornel Library, Kirkcudbright.  In front the 'Martyrs Cross' is a small stone given by Australian sympathisers and admirers.
  The names of the martyr's are listed with the places and dates of death where known, taken from King-Hewison’s book "Dalgarnoc: its Saints and Heroes" :
  James Harkness was a farmer and is one of 38 members of his family who are buried here. he led the aforementioned 'Enterkin Raid' when he led a band of 40 Covenanters who rescued seven out of nine fellow Covenanters who were being taken to Edinburgh to be sold into slavery in America. He was captured by Claverhouse but escaped and fled to Ulster, only returning after the 'Killing Times' ended. His brother Thomas was hung at the Grassmarket in Edinburgh and his name will be found on the Martyrs Cross. This is the famous Harkness family who were staunch Covenanters with many stories told of their trials and tribulations.
  His memorial reads :
  The Parish of Closeburn and Dalgarnock had to pay "Fines and Losses" of £3,671 18s.
caption: The old font, Dalgarnock Churchyard
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